Back to Austin to Surprise a Friend (Operation Putt-Putt)

August 2013 was a busy month for me and quick travels.  I made a quick trip to Williamsport, PA for the Little League World Series (my last blog entry).  As I was planning that trip I was perusing Facebook and saw my friend from high school, Deborah had invited me (and probably all of her FB friends) to benefit that she was holding for an annual bike ride that she is involved with called the "Mamma Jamma Ride".  This bicycle event raises funds for 10 charities that work to help those who are suffering from Breast Cancer and other women's health issues,  By the way Deborah lives in Austin, Texas and although I wasn't sure whether I'd be able to make it, but I wanted to try.  As the date was getting closer it looked as though the flights fro Dulles to Austin might be open (I have to fly stand by, so open flights are a must).  I also wanted to make it a total surprise, just show up.  I have done this before and it is pretty fun and knowing Deborah, I figured she would really enjoy the surprise.  As I was planning I looked over the Triple D list to see if there were any places that I hadn't been to in the Austin area to try and there were 4, so I figured why not!

I flew down and arrived at about 1030a and after getting a car and checking into the hotel I had reserved I headed off to a place I have visited on my last visit to Austin but had closed 20 minutes before I had arrived so I wasn't able to try.  I headed to  North Austin to a small sandwich shop in a small strip mall called "The Noble Pig".

The Noble Pig

It is a small place and I decided on getting their signature Noble Pig Sandwich on White Sourdough style bread.  The sandwich has spicy ham, pulled pork, provolone cheese and spicy bacon was delicious and served with chips and pickled veggies.  I was able to meet the co-owner and chef tat cooked with Guy on their episode.

The Noble Pig Sandwich

I really enjoyed the Noble Pig and although it was very busy their service was fast and friendly.  After returning to the hotel to relax and await my next DDD visit.  I went online and saw that another high school friend was passing through Austin as he made his way from Tampa, Florida all around the USA on his Harley.  I tried to get in contact with him but decided to head off to my next place and see if he would answer my call or text. 

I headed into Austin to probably one of the unique Trip D places I have ever been to, "Luke's Inside Out" which is not a traditional restaurant at all but a food trailer that is located outside of Gibson's Bar.   You go to the food trailer to order your meal and then go into the bar to get your drink and they deliver your meal to you in the bar.

This is Luke's Inside Out

Luke's has a nice menu of gourmet sandwiches that are accompanied with Parmesan Crusted chips.  I chose The Shrimp, which is Chipolte Rosemary glazed shrimp with blue cheese, apple and honey.  It doesn't sound like a great combination but it was very tasty, I would order it again, no doubt.

The Shrimp at Luke's Inside Out

As I left Luke's I got a text from my buddy John and as it happened he was staying at a place about 2 miles from Luke's, he asked if I was in Austin and I told him I'd be there in about 5 minutes.  He was staying at a real eclectic place called the Austin Motel, which was in a really cool nighttime area of Austin.

I met up with John and his buddies and we headed out to a real crazy bar just across the street from his hotel and I must tell you that his friends took me in as one of their own and that is a great feeling.  John is a crazy fun guy and his friends were equally the same.  We walked to Doc's and it was really busy and fun.  I don't really drink so I stayed with sodas but the rest got Doc's Signature drink, a Margarita with a pony-sized beer placed upside down in the glass.

Doc's in Austin

John and I

The Gang (Duane, me, Howard, Evelina and John)

We had a great time with the wait staff and just talking about their travels and why I was in Austin.  It had been a very long day for me, starting work at 430a, flying to Austin, checking our a few places and hanging with John and his buddies, so as they went off to a late dinner I decided to call it a day and get some rest.  Thanks to John, Duane, Howard and Evelina for welcoming me and making me feel part of the group.

I got up on day two which would end with my surprising Deborah at her fundraiser but that wasn't planned until 7p so I decided to make a road trip to College Station about 90 miles east to a Triple D places that I figured I would probably not be able to get to again. it took about 2 hours to drive to the small town of Wellborn just about 5 miles from Texas A&M University.  "Hullabaloo's Diner" is a very unusual place, it's a 50s style diner moved from the east coast and built into a Texas style honkytonk complex.

Hullabaloo's Diner in Wellborn, Texas

Inside Hullabaloo's, a classic 50s diner

The owner is from Philadelphia and has brought the Philly style cuisine to central Texas.  I chose the Redneck Philly Cheese steak, which is the classic cheese steak with peppered bacon.

Redneck Cheese steak

The huge sandwich was really not a sandwich but a knife and fork meal, very tasty.  I loved the peppered bacon!  I didn't get to meet the owner but my server brought my book to him and he signed it.  I got there when it opened at 11a and by the time I left there were people waiting for seats!

I had noticed on the drive to the diner that I had not only passed the A&M campus, but also the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum, so I decided to stop in and check it out.  The Museum is dedicated to the life of President George Herbert Walker Bush, our 41st President.  I really enjoyed the museum.  There is a very neat statue dedicated to the collapse of the Berlin Wall, with a replica of the wall as it is being jumped over by horses to symbolize the German people leaving the Communist East Berlin into Free West Berlin.  My other favorite places in the museum were the replica Oval Office, replica office at Camp David and a video display of President Bush's interactions with Dana Carvey on "Saturday Night Live"

Presidential Limo

Type of Plane that he flew during World War 2

White House Display

At the Desk

"NO, Mr. Gorbachev!"

State Dinner Place setting

Air Force 1 model

Replica Camp David Office

Berlin War Statue

After returning back to Austin I got ready for my last Triple D visit before putting Operation Putt-Putt into action.  After a short rest at the hotel I headed to a very unique place, "Foreign and Domestic" looks like a really plain diner type of place, but looks are definitely deceiving.  Inside this place is fine dining all the way.  I was seated at the counter next to the kitchen so I got to watch some real great chefs and sous chefs at work.

Don't let looks deceive this place is fine dining

The menu wasn't large but it was very gourmet.  My server explained all of the different entrees and how they were prepared.  I found the prices to be a bit high, but even before I ordered I knew that whatever I got would be delicious.  I decided on the Ricotta Ginudi, which is a gnocchi-like pasta made with ricotta cheese instead of potato.  It had a light unique taste and although I love gnocchi, I really liked the ginudi!  It had a sauce with a slight bite of heat, that was delicious.  My Triple D count now stands at 319!

Foreign and Domestic Sous Chefs hard at work

Ricotta Ginudi

Now it was time to put Operation Putt-Putt into action, which was the reason that I was in Austin.  About 10 days prior I had sent a text to Deborah, which is something I do about once a month just to see how she is doing and she had jokingly asked me to come for the Mini Golf fundraiser, now I didn't say no, but said I was working and we left it at that.  To make the surprise even better I had sent her a text just before leaving for the restaurant to wish her good luck and success that night.

The fundraiser was to be held at Peter Pan Mini Golf in Austin.  This place has two courses and has been an Austin institution since 1948.

They had set up the fundraiser so that anyone who played between 7 ad 9pm and presented the cashier a Mamma Jamma card, 100% of the money paid would go towards the charities.  The owner of the place rides with the team and opened his place to Deborah and her team.  If you'd like to contribute google Mamma Jamma ride in Austin and look up Team Survivor, Deborah and all of her team are Beast Cancer Survivors.

Peter Pan overseeing his Golf Kingdom

The place has a very small parking lot and as I pulled in there was Deborah and I thought, "Oh No!, shell see me parking", but as luck had it there was one spot and I was able to go by her and she didn't see me!  I got out and walked to the entrance (I was wearing an Oakton Cougars, our high school, shirt so there would be no doubt who it was) and shouted "Let's Play some Golf!".  She was very surprised, so all I could say was Mission ACCOMPLISHED!

I didn't even get to play a round as I spent the entire time catching up with Deborah and her team and friends and a nicer group of people I have never met.  I really hope to return for more of the fundraisers, it was a great time!

Deborah and I

YES, it was humid!

In closing this was a great trip to see and support and old friend, whom I greatly admire for all the great things she does for others, I felt is was a great honor to be a part of it.  Thanks so much to Deborah, LOVE YA!  Best to you and all of your team!